title: Assessment of axial length before and after myopic LASIK with the IOLMaster.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the relationship between theoretical ablation depth and axial length change after LASIK with the IOLMaster (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-nine eyes were examined preoperatively and 1 and 3 months after LASIK.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean ± standard deviation (SD) spherical equivalent before LASIK was -4.06 ± 1.91 diopters (D). Mean ± SD ablation depth was 83.13 ± 30.31 μm. Mean ± SD postoperative axial length of 25.11 ± 0.14 mm at 1 month was significantly shorter than mean ± SD preoperative axial length of 25.20 ± 0.14 mm (P < .001) with no subsequent change thereafter (P = .450). An increase in ablation depth of 1 μm led to a decrease in axial length of 0.00118 ± 0.00005 mm. Ablation depth correlated strongly with change in axial length (adjusted R(2) = 0.9039).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The IOLMaster showed a decrease in axial length after LASIK that correlated well with theoretical ablation depth.
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tay
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Howard V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Gimbel
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kaye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D058452:Axial Length, Eye / Q000473:pathology*; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D057234:Preoperative Period; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology